MARK LONG
LSU center Efton Reid (15) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Days scores 20 near home, No. 12 LSU beats Florida 64-58

By Mark Long Jan. 12, 2022 09:42 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Darius Days was mostly miserable during his last two trips

Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe (34) tries to shoot as Georgia's Jabri Abdur-Rahim (1) and Tyron McMillan (4) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Kentucky's Tshiebwe wants 'my name to be remembered forever'

By Mark Long Jan. 12, 2022 01:02 PM EST
Kentucky’s offense now runs through big man Oscar Tshiebwe. Already

Florida forward Colin Castleton (12) celebrates with guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (24), guard Myreon Jones (0) and forward CJ Felder (1) after blocking an Alabama shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
No. 15 Alabama uses big 2nd-half run to beat Florida 83-70

By Mark Long Jan. 05, 2022 09:29 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Alabama coach Nate Oats challenged his guys at halftime to

North Florida head coach Matthew Driscoll shouts at his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
No. 20 Florida bounces back from stunner, handles UNF 85-55

By Mark Long Dec. 08, 2021 09:00 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Colin Castleton barely slept after Florida's humbling loss

Texas Southern forward Joirdon Karl Nicholas celebrates on the bench against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Previously winless Texas Southern stuns No. 20 Florida 69-54

By Mark Long Dec. 06, 2021 08:11 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Johnny Jones got a wet welcome in the visiting locker room

No. 24 Florida dominates Milwaukee, handles hyped Baldwin

By Mark Long Nov. 18, 2021 07:54 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Nearly two dozen NBA teams were on hand to watch

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton disputes a ruling by officials during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida ends 7-game skid vs FSU, dedicates win to Johnson

By Mark Long Nov. 14, 2021 03:34 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — When the final buzzer sounded, Florida coach Mike

FILE - Florida forward Keyontae Johnson (11) dribbles around Tennessee guard/forward Yves Pons (35) during an NCAA college basketball game in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. University of Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed during a game last December, is deciding whether he wants to try to play professionally or cash in a $5 million insurance policy. Two people with knowledge of Keyontae Johnson’s situation told The Associated Press that the senior forward's policy went into effect in July 2020, five months before he crashed face-first onto the court at Florida State. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
AP sources: $5M insurance payout awaits Florida's Johnson

By Mark Long Nov. 03, 2021 03:10 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A University of Florida basketball player who

FILE - Florida head coach Mike White gestures in the first half of a first round game against Virginia Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, in this Friday, March 19, 2021, file photo. Florida might have its best defensive team in nearly a decade, an experienced group that seems to fit perfectly with coach Mike White’s style. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Florida gets defensive while rebuilding via transfer portal

By Mark Long Oct. 21, 2021 11:31 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida might have its best defensive team in nearly a

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Florida forward Keyontae Johnson (11) takes a shot against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Fla. Johnson hasn't practiced or played since collapsing on the court last December. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)
Florida's Johnson still not cleared, renews 'Coach Key' role

By Mark Long Sep. 28, 2021 07:43 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The hope for Florida's Keyontae Johnson is to be

Florida's Johnson awaits medical clearance, hopes to play

By Mark Long Apr. 21, 2021 06:56 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's Keyontae Johnson is “patiently waiting” on

Florida lands 4th transfer as CSU's Fleming formally commits

By Mark Long Apr. 12, 2021 04:39 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida landed its fourth transfer in two weeks on

Nebraska's Trey McGowens (2) shoots against Penn State's Myreon Jones (0) and Trent Buttrick (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten men's tournament Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State transfer Jones, team's top scorer, picks Florida

By Mark Long Apr. 07, 2021 05:18 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Penn State's leading scorer is heading to Florida and

FILE - Kansas City guard Brandon McKissic (3) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., in this Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, file photo. Florida coach Mike White took the first step in a significant rebuilding process Friday, April 2, 2021. White got a commitment from Kansas City guard Brandon McKissic. The senior led the Roos with 17.2 points a game this season.(AP Photo/Stephen Dunn, File)
Florida's rebuild begins with transfers McKissic, Felder

By Mark Long Apr. 02, 2021 02:49 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — After a week of departures that saw four of his

Florida guard Scottie Lewis (23) shoots in front of Virginia Tech forward Keve Aluma (22) in the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Friday, March 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida loses another as Scottie Lewis opts for NBA draft

By Mark Long Apr. 01, 2021 09:21 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Guard Scottie Lewis became the sixth player to leave

Oral Roberts forward DeShang Weaver (14) shoots ahead of Florida forward Omar Payne (5) during the second half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Sunday, March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Omar Payne joins growing list of players to leave Florida

By Mark Long Mar. 30, 2021 12:30 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's rebuilding project continues to grow.

Florida guard Tre Mann (1) dribbles the ball up court during an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Gainesville, Fla. (Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)
Playmaker Tre Mann declares for NBA, says goodbye to Florida

By Mark Long Mar. 24, 2021 01:00 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida point guard Tre Mann, the program's best one

Arkansas' Moses Moody, top, drives against LSU's Ja'Vonte Smart (1) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Arkansas tries to erase decades of tournament disappointment

By Mark Long Mar. 18, 2021 02:49 PM EDT
Eric Musselman might need to break the bubble and sneak off to the mall. Or at

Florida coach Mike White instructs his team as they play Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Florida hopes to get handle on turnovers as postseason nears

By Mark Long Feb. 25, 2021 04:56 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s increased speed has come with increased

Florida guard Tre Mann, right, steals the ball from South Carolina forward Keyshawn Bryant during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
South Carolina pounds No. 22 Florida in paint, wins 72-66

By Mark Long Feb. 03, 2021 09:30 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — South Carolina coach Frank Martin was beside himself